Firearm authorization system with piezo-electric disabler

ABSTRACT

An authorization system for a firearm ( 10 ) includes an authorizing device ( 32 ) worn by the authorized user, and a firearm ( 10 ) with a fire control system, a computer controller ( 28 ), and a piezo-electric disabler ( 60 ). The computer controller ( 28 ) communicates with the authorizing device ( 32 ), and if no authorizing signal is received from the authorizing device, sends an electric output signal to the disabler ( 60 ) to prevent the fire control system from allowing the firearm to fire. The disabler, upon application of the electrical signal from the computer controller, cams the rearward moving trigger bar ( 52 ) of the fire control system clear of the hammer link ( 54 ) to disrupt the fire control system. Consequently, the firearm ( 10 ) will not fire.

This application is a 371 of PCT/US04/17620, filed on Jun. 4, 2004,which claims benefit from provisional application 60/475,712, filed onJun. 4, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearm safety in general and tofirearms with authorization systems in particular.

There have been numerous improvements to firearm safety over the years.Historically, firearm safeties were of the type that, when the userwanted to fire the weapon, he or she moved a safety lever or catch fromthe “on” position to the “off”position. None of these safeties, however,questions the authority of the user who intends to fire the firearm. Anyuser may intentionally fire the firearm.

More recently, firearms have been designed with authorization systems.These systems attempt to verify that the user is permitted to fire thefirearm. An unauthorized user cannot fire the firearm equipped with anauthorization system. Typically, these systems rely on some means ofidentification: the user enters a code on a keypad on the firearm or hasa key that unlocks the firearm, or the firearm has the capability toread a particular individual's fingerprint. Another type ofauthorization system relies on a “personal device” worn by theauthorized user that communicates using radio-frequency transmitters andreceivers with electronic circuits carried in the firearm.

Various design considerations must be taken into account when designingan authorization system particularly for law enforcement use.Authorization systems must be designed to be difficult for criminals todefeat. Police officers operate in different environments than users oftarget shooting pistols. Authorization systems that rely on batterypower must have a ready-to-fire condition even if the battery is deadand ideally require only limited power so as to prolong battery life.Accordingly, there remains a need for an authorization system thatoperates reliably, that does not drain its batteries quickly, and thatis particularly suited for law enforcement use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the presentinvention is a firearm authorization system designed especially for lawenforcement use. The system determines if the user is an authorizeduser, and, if so, permits the firearm to fire. If not authorized, theuser will not be able to fire the firearm. The firearm authorizationsystem includes a firearm with a fire control mechanism capable offiring ammunition, an on-board computer controller, and a disabler thatresponds to an electrical output signal from the on-board computercontroller when the user is not authorized. A personal device is used toprovide the authorized signal to the computer controller.

If an authorization signal is not obtained (either because noauthorizing device is present to give an authorizing signal or no propersignal is received), pulling the trigger will not cause the firearm todischarge. Specifically, a failure to authorize causes the disabler tocam the trigger bar clear of the hammer so the trigger bar cannot engageand thereby load the hammer. On the other hand, if authorization isobtained, the enabler does not significantly affect the normal, rearwardmovement of the trigger bar, and the pulling of the trigger istranslated into movement of the hammer until the sear trips and thehammer is released. The hammer then hits the firing pin, which strikesthe primer and discharges the firearm.

The use of a piezo-electric-activated disabler is an important featureof the present invention. Upon receiving a small electrical signalindicating that the user is not authorized to fire the firearm, thepiezo-electric disabler will cam the trigger bar away from engagementwith the hammer. As a consequence, the hammer cannot be loaded in orderto strike the firing pin. Once the signal that the user is notauthorized is withdrawn, the trigger bar will be allowed to moverearward normally.

The combination of circuit logic and the type of enabler is anotherimportant feature of the present invention. In addition to havingauthorization logic oriented to best suit the needs of law enforcementpersonnel, the logic also minimizes battery consumption. For example,the power-consuming authorization process is only done when the gun isout of the holster and the firearm is being held in such a way as toindicate that the user may fire it. There is also a “sleep mode” whenthe gun is out of the holster but not within the user's grasp. In thismode it draws very little power. In the holster it draws none. Only whenthe person grasping the gun is not authorized, which is likely a verysmall percentage of the time, does the system require power for theenabler. Furthermore, use of a piezo-electric-based enabler draws verylittle power compared to disablers based on solenoids for example.Accordingly, in the case of battery failure, the firearm will firebecause the system has been designed according to the police requirementto be “fail-fire”.

Other features and their advantages will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art of firearm design from a careful reading of theDetailed Description of Preferred embodiments, accompanied by thefollowing drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures,

FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm, according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a firearm, according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention, with the firearm partially cut away to showthe fire control system with a piezo-electric enabler, according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate, in detail, the structure and operationof the enabler in controlling the trigger bar, with FIGS. 3A and 3Bshowing the enabler in the “fire enabled” position and FIG. 3C showingthe enabler in the “fire disabled” position, according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are detailed end views of the enabler of FIGS. 3A,3B, and 3C, respectively illustrating its “fire enabled” and “firedisabled” positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a firearm with an authorization system. Theauthorization system will disable the firearm so that it will not fireif the user is an unauthorized user. Otherwise, the firearm will fire.The present invention includes a firearm, and an authorization devicefor emitting an authorizing signal to the firearm when queried by thefirearm. The firearm includes a fire control system, a computercontroller that communicates with the authorization device, and apiezo-electric-based disabler that responds to the computer controller.

Referring now to the figures, an embodiment of the present firearm 10with the present authorization system is illustrated. In most respects,firearm 10 is a conventional firearm, here illustrated as asemi-automatic firearm. It has all of the components of a typicalfirearm, including, for example, a frame 12 with a handle 14 and triggerguard 16, a slide 18, and a barrel 20.

Firearm 10 may carry a power source such as a pair of batteries 24 inframe 12, for example, below barrel 20. The back of handle 14 preferablyincludes a back strap 26 with a computer controller 28 embedded therein.Also carried by frame 12, in the rear of handle 14, is a transceiver 30that sends queries and receives signals from an authorization device 32with its own transceiver 34. Batteries 24 provide power for computercontroller, transceiver 30 and other components of the presentauthorization system. Transceiver 34 does not have any internal batterypower. This device is “passive” and a coil internally generates thepower required by utilizing the signal received from transceiver 30 tosend a responding signal.

Transceivers 30 and 34 can communicate wirelessly, using radio-wavesignals. Preferably, these signals are transmitted in such a way so thatthe orientation of authorizing device 32 and firearm 10 is critical forthe effective communication of an authorizing signal. If desired, asmall light such as a light emitting diode (LED) 34 can be used toindicate the firearm is ready to fire.

Various switches can be used to initiate the authorization systemfunctions. For example, a holster switch 40 can be used to draw powerfrom batteries 24. Pressure sensors or capacitive sensors 42, 44 and 46can be used to initiate an authorization query by computer controller 28of authorizing device 32. Sensors 42, 44, and 46 should be positionedabout frame 12, in places where a user's firing hand will make contact.Preferably, switches 42, 44, and 46 are spaced apart and on differentsides of handle 14.

Firearm 10 has a fire control system that includes a pivotally mountedtrigger 50 and a trigger bar 52 that moves rearward in response to thepulling of trigger 50 (arbitrarly designating the handle-end of firearm10 as rearward). When trigger bar 52 is moved rearward, it comes intoengagement with a hammer link 54 attached to hammer 55, moving itrearward as well. Hammer link 54 loads the hammer against the hammerspring (not shown) until hammer link 54 trips, releasing hammer 55,which is in turn propelled forward at the urging of the hammer spring.The propelled hammer strikes the firing pin that therefore strikes theprimer of a cartridge present in the breech block (not shown),detonating the powder in the cartridge base. The exploding powderpropels the cartridge bullet through barrel 20. The foregoing isconventional operation for a semi-automatic firearm 10. Also, thesecomponents are included in the fire control system: trigger, triggerbar, hammer link and hammer.

In the present system, the authorization system commandeers the firecontrol system to prevent it from operating in selected circumstances,namely, when the user is not authorized. There are certain conditions,as will be described, when firearm 10 is in a “fire-enabled” mode, andfirearm 10 will fire. These include those times when firearm 10 is inits holster, and holster switch 40 is open. Furthermore, according tothe present preferred embodiment for police use, the presentauthorization system, if it should fail, will fail in the “fire-enabled”mode. Thus, for example, if batteries 24 are dead, the police officewill be able to fire firearm 10.

As the user grasps handle 14 of firearm 10, the presence of the hand ofthe user near sensors 42, 44, 46, carried by handle 14 will send asignal to electrical control circuit 28 to initiate the authorizationprocedure. Sensors 42, 44, and 46 are positioned where a user would haveto grip the firearm 10 in order to fire it.

The purpose of multiple grip sensors 42, 44, 46 is to initiate theauthorization system based on the premise that firearm 10 is beinggrasped in a manner that would indicate the holder intends to fire it,rather than merely when it is being touched or carried in some way thatwould not indicate an intention to fire.

Alternatively pressure sensors 42, 44, 46, may be based on capacitancerather than pressure. When a user touches or is close to the capacitivesensing electrode, the capacitance around the sensing electrode changesdramatically. This activates the authorization system. This systemdiffers from the one based on pressure sensors in following respects.The capacitance-based system is more sensitive than the pressuresensor-based system; the slightest touch or even proximity can activatethe authorization system. The capacitance-based system can be calibratedand can auto-calibrate to adjust for changes in conditions such asweather and in the handling of the gun so that the appropriatesensitivity activates the authorization system. Capacitance switches canbe added to the handle of the firearm in such a way that the firearmwill not need to look any different than one that is not equipped withthe present invention. Finally, capacitance switches are more ruggedthan pressure sensitive switches.

Unlike many prior art authorization systems, however, the user does nothave to have a finger on trigger 50 or be in the process of pullingtrigger 50 for the authorization system to be activated. Firearm 10merely has to be in someone's grasp and free of its holster. Thus, theauthorization process can be complete well before the need to fireoccurs. Computer controller 28 is preferably an integrated circuit, withmemory, secured within back strap 26 so that tampering cannot easilydefeat the authorization system.

The present authorization system depends on an authorizing signal fromauthorizing device 32 to firearm 10. Computer controller 28, after anyof the switches 42, 44, and 46 are closed, will transmit a coded queryand “listen” for a response. The response is most preferably a unique,coded response to the authorized user or users from authorizing device32. Authorizing device 32 may be worn on or implanted into the user'sbody. Moreover, it will be clear that technology that allows individualsto be sensed and uniquely identified could be used in lieu of the use ofauthorizing device 32 to receive an authorizing signal.

Computer controller 28 causes transceiver 30 carried by frame 12 to emita coded wireless signal in electromagnetic energy (infrared, radiofrequency, etc). Transceiver 30 is located to the rear of firearm 10 andoriented so as to emit the burst rearward. If the user is wearingauthorizing device 32, it will respond via transceiver 34, carried bydevice 32, as long as the “code” detected is acceptable. Transceiver 34,on authorizing device 32, will respond by transmitting a coded wirelessauthorizing signal burst. Preferably these signals from transceivers 30,34, are limited in strength so that firearm 10 and authorizing device 32must be close and properly oriented for the authorizing signal to beproperly received and result in authorization to fire. Accordingly,firearm 10 cannot be fired when at a distance too great from authorizingdevice 32 for normal operation.

If an authorizing signal is received from authorizing device 32 by thetransceiver 34, and conveyed to computer controller 28, the signal willbe decoded and evaluated by computer controller 32 in comparison topre-designated authorization codes in its memory, and the signal traveltime or strength compared to that expected when the signal comes from adistance more than appropriate for normal operation in order to verifythat it is a properly received authorization signal.

Many prior art authorization systems use solenoids to block a componentof the fire control system of a firearm, such as the trigger, the sear,or the trigger bar. However, the present invention does not block thefire control mechanism; it “disconnects” it. By “disconnecting,” it ismeant that trigger 50, when disconnected, still moves when pulled,moving trigger bar 52 rearward, but firearm 10 does not fire becausehammer link 54 is not moved by trigger bar 52. The fire control systemis disrupted because its components are disconnected. “Blocking” on theother hand means that trigger 50 does not move when pulled. Thisdifference is important. If a component of the fire control system isblocked by a solenoid pin, for example, a user who is not authorized maybe able by sheer force to break the rod of the solenoid or damage theblocked component and thus defeat the authorization system. In thepresent system, no amount of force will enable the disconnected firecontrol system because trigger 50, trigger bar 52 and hammer link 54 arenot blocked. They are, however, disconnected so that the fire controlsystem is disrupted and will not allow firearm 10 to fire.

A preferred embodiment of the fire control system is illustrated in thesequence shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. This fire control system includes trigger50, trigger bar 52, hammer link 54 and hammer 55. Disabler 60, as willnow be explained, disrupts this fire control system.

The rearward movement of hammer link 54 (away from barrel 20 and towardhandle 14) is controlled by the rearward movement of trigger bar 52,which is, in turn, controlled by the rearward movement of trigger 50. Tomove hammer link 54 rearward, bar 52 must engage hammer link 54. If,however, trigger bar 52 is depressed to the point where trigger bar 52,during its rearward movement, clears hammer link 54, hammer 55 will notbe loaded and firearm will not fire.

Enabler 60 is based on the use of a piezo-electric material.Piezo-electric materials contract on the application of a voltage.Enabler 60 has two members that cooperate to disrupt the fire controlsystem: a first member 62, that has a movable state and a fixed state,and a second member 64, that is attached to frame 12 and containspiezo-electric material 66. Second member 64 is arranged so thatpiezo-electric material 66 is affixed to a thin metal backing 68 sothat, when the small electrical output signal (high voltage and lowcurrent) of computer controller 28 is applied to it, second member 64will bend as the molecules of piezo-electric material 66 try tocontract. Second member 64 has a locking projection 72 extendinglaterally from it at the point where the bending from normal position isgreatest.

First member 62 is normally in its movable state. When movable, it isfree to move up and down. A spring 76 secures first member 62 within achannel 78 formed in a magazine well 80 within handle 14. First member62 moves up and down against the urging of spring 76.

First member 62 has a hole 82 formed therein dimensioned to receivelocking projection 72. When an electrical output signal from computercontroller 28 is applied to second member 64, second member 64 respondsby bending toward first member 62. Locking projection 72, carried bysecond member 64, enters hole 82 on first member 62, preventing firstmember 62 from moving up and down and thereby changes the state of firstmember 62 from its movable state to its fixed state.

Trigger bar 52 has two arms 88, 90. A tab 92 with a cutout portion 94extends from one arm, arm 88. Cutout portion 94 has a shape that definesa cam edge 96. First member 62 has a camming projection 98 that extendsinto cutout portion 94 and engages trigger bar 52 along cam edge 96. Camedge 96 has a rise 100 formed thereon. As trigger bar 52 moves rearwardin response the user's pull on trigger 50, camming projection 98 followscam edge 96, riding up rise 100.

When first member 62 is in its movable state, and thus free to move upand down, and trigger bar 52 is moved rearward, cam edge 96 of triggerbar 52 moves rearward essentially unhindered. Spring 76 allows firstmember 62 to be lifted easily as camming projection 98 rides on cam edge96. Trigger bar 52, in its normal rearward travel, engages hammer link54 and thus the fire control system operates normally and the bulletwill be fired through barrel 20.

When first member 62 is in its fixed state, however, and trigger bar 52is moved rearward, camming projection 98 will push cam edge 96 down, andtrigger bar 52 with it, as its rides up rise 100. Rise 100 is positionedso that trigger bar 52 clears hammer link rather than engages it. Hammerlink 54 is therefore not moved and the fire control system has beendisrupted. Firearm 10 will not fire. Trigger 50 can be pulled repeatedlybut trigger bar 52 will not engage hammer link 54, being cammed clear ofit by disabler 60 as long as there is an electrical output signal fromcomputer controller 28.

The logic of this operation is programmed into computer controller 28.In particular signals from holster switch 40 and sensors 42, 44, 46,will cause computer controller 28 to query authorizing device 32 for anauthorizing signal. Once that authorizing signal is received, firearm 10remains in a “fire-enabled” mode. If no signal is received within apre-selected time, computer controller 28 will send the electricaloutput signal to disabler 60. The electrical output signal will causesecond member 64 to bend so that locking projection 72 enters the hole82 on first member, thus placing it in its fixed state. Accordingly,first member 62's camming projection will follow cam edge, cammingtrigger bar 52 down when it reaches rise 100 so that trigger bar 52clears hammer link 54, and firearm will thus be in the “fire-disabled”mode.

It will be apparent to those skilled in firearm authorization systemsthat many modifications and substitutions can be made to the foregoingpreferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, defined by the appended claims.

1. A firearm authorization system, comprising: (1) a firearm having aframe with a handle, a barrel carried by said frame, and a fire controlsystem carried by said frame and in operational connection with saidbarrel, said fire control system adapted to fire a bullet through saidbarrel; (2) a computer controller carried by said frame and adapted toreceive and evaluate signals, said computer controller emitting anelectrical output signal when said computer controller does not receivean authorizing signal; (3) a disabler carried by said frame and inoperational connection with said fire control system, said disablerbeing responsive to said electrical output signal so that, when saidcomputer controller emits said electrical output signal, said disablerthereupon disconnects said fire control system so that said fire controlsystem is prevented from firing said bullet; (4) a first member having amovable state and a fixed state, and carrying a camming protection thatengages said fire control system, said camming projection of said firstmember camming fire control system when said first member is in saidfixed state; and (5) a second member that bends in response to saidelectrical output signal, said second member, when bent, holding saidfirst member in said fixed state, and, when said second member is notbent, allowing said first member to remain in said movable state.
 2. Thefirearm authorization system as recited in claim 1, wherein said firstmember further comprises a spring, and wherein said first member, whenin said moving state, moves against the urging of said spring.
 3. Thefirearm authorization system as recited in claim 1, wherein said firstmember has a hole formed therein and said second member has a lockingprojection dimensioned to fit within said hole, so that when said secondmember is bent, said locking projection is received within said hole andthereby holds said first member in said fixed state.
 4. The firearmauthorization system as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle has amagazine well formed therein, and wherein said disabler is carried bysaid magazine well.
 5. The firearm authorization system as recited inclaim 1, further comprising an authorizing device adapted to transmit anauthorizing signal to said computer controller.
 6. The firearmauthorization system as recited in claim 5, wherein said computercontroller is adapted to query said authorizing device for saidauthorizing signal.
 7. The firearm authorization system as recited inclaim 6, further comprising a sensor switch for causing said computercontroller to query said authorizing device, said sensor switch closedby holding said firearm.
 8. The firearm authorization system as recitedin claim 6, further comprising a power source carried by said frame. 9.The firearm authorization system as recited in claim 8, furthercomprising a power switch carried by said frame and adapted to causepower to be drawn from said power source, said power switch closed byremoving said firearm from a holster.
 10. The firearm authorizationsystem as recited in claim 1, wherein said authorizing device is remotefrom said computer controller.
 11. The firearm authorization system asrecited in claim 1, wherein said second member is made of apiezo-electric material that bends in response to application of saidelectrical output signal.